Well, we’re back and it’s been so damn long, I can’t even remember what the form book looks like. Let’s have a punt anyway.
Game 1: Chiefs v Crusaders
Aaah, this one might just settle the kiwi conference for us, once and for all. Impossible to predict, really, but it’s the business end of the season, meaning it’s the Saders’ favourite time to shine. Crusaders by 3.
Chiefs: 15. Damian McKenzie, 14. Toni Pulu, 13. Seta Tamanivalu, 12. Anton Lienert-Brown, 11. James Lowe, 10. Stephen Donald, 9. Brad Weber, 8. Tom Sanders, 7. Sam Cane (Captain), 6. Taleni Seu, 5. Brodie Retallick, 4. Dominic Bird, 3. Hiroshi Yamashita, 2. Hikawera Elliott, 1. Kane Hames
Replacements: 16. Nathan Harris, 17. Siegfried Fisi’ihoi, 18. Atunaisa Moli, 19. Mitchell Brown, 20. Lachlan Boshier, 21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22. Aaron Cruden, 23. Sam McNicol
Crusaders: 15. Israel Dagg, 14. Jone Macilai, 13. Kieron Fonotia, 12. David Havili, 11. Nemani Nadolo, 10. Richard Mo’unga, 9. Andy Ellis, 8. Kieran Read (Captain), 7. Matt Todd, 6. Jordan Taufua, 5. Samuel Whitelock, 4. Scott Barrett, 3. Owen Franks, 2. Codie Taylor, 1. Wyatt Crockett
Replacements: 16. Ben Funnell, 17. Joe Moody, 18. Michael Alaalatoa, 19. Jimmy Tupou, 20. Jed Brown, 21. Mitchell Drummond, 22. Mitchell Hunt, 23. Sean Wainui
Game 2: Brumbies v Reds
From the highs of the kiwi conference to the lows of the crap across the Tasman Sea. Hard to see any result other than a comfortable Brumbies win.
Brumbies: 15. Aidan Toua, 14. Nigel Ah Wong, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 12. Matt Toomua, 11. James Dargaville, 10. Christian Lealiifano, 9. Joe Powell, 8. Ben Hyne, 7. Jarrad Butler, 6. Scott Fardy, 5. Sam Carter, 4. Rory Arnold, 3. Ben Alexander, 2. Stephen Moore (Captain), 1. Scott Sio
Replacements: 16. Josh Mann-Rea, 17. Allan Alaalatoa, 18. Ruan-Henry Smith, 19. Blake Enever, 20. Michael Wells, 21. Tomas Cubelli, 22. Andrew Smith, 23. Lausii Taliauli
Reds: 15. Jack Tuttle, 14. Chris Kuridrani, 13. Samu Kerevi, 12. Henry Taefu, 11. Eto Nabuli, 10. Jake Mcintyre, 9. Nicholas Frisby, 8. Curtis Browning, 7. Liam Gill, 6. Hendrik Tui, 5. Lukhan Tui, 4. Cadeyrn Neville, 3. Greg Holmes, 2. Andrew Ready, 1. James Slipper (Captain)
Replacements: 16. Saia Faingaa, 17. Sef Faagase, 18. Taniela Tupou, 19. Kane Douglas, 20. Leroy Houston, 21. James Tuttle, 22. Duncan Paia’aua, 23. Campbell Magnay
Game 3: Sunwolves v Waratahs
We’ve learned that you underestimate the Wolves in Japan at your peril. That said, the Tahs must surely have too much class to lose this? Waratahs by 10.
Sunwolves: 15. Riaan Viljoen, 14. Mifiposeti Paea, 13. Derek Carpenter, 12. Harumichi Tatekawa (Captain), 11. Yasutaka Sasakura, 10. Yu Tamura, 9. Kaito Shigeno, 8. Ed Quirk, 7. Taiyo Ando, 6. Liaki Moli, 5. Naohiro Kotaki, 4. Faatiga Lemalu, 3. Shinnosuke Kakinaga, 2. Takeshi Kizu, 1. Masataka Mikami
Replacements: 16. Futoshi Mori, 17. Keith Inagaki, 18. Takuma Asahara, 19. Yoshia Hosoda, 20. Shokei Kin, 21. Yuki Yatomi, 22. Ryohei Yamanaka, 23. Hajime Yamashita
Waratahs: 15. Andrew Kellaway, 14. Reece Robinson, 13. Israel Folau, 12. Rob Horne, 11. Teqele Naiyaravoro, 10. Bernard Foley, 9. Matt Lucas, 8. Dave Dennis, 7. Michael Hooper (Captain), 6. Jack Dempsey, 5. Will Skelton, 4. Dean Mumm, 3. Tom Robertson, 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1. Paddy Ryan
Replacements: 16. Hugh Roach, 17. Jeremy Tilse, 18. Angus Ta’avao, 19. Sam Lousi, 20. Wycliff Palu, 21. Ned Hanigan, 22. Nick Phipps, 23. David Horwitz, 24. Tola Latu, 25. Matt Carraro
Game 4: Hurricanes v Blues
Another kiwi derby, but this time there’s only one team with anything to play for. Expect the Canes to keep their own hopes properly alive with a big 15 point win.
Hurricanes : 15. James Marshall, 14. Cory Jane, 13. Matt Proctor, 12. Vince Aso, 11. Julian Savea, 10. Beauden Barrett, 9. TJ Perenara, 8. Victor Vito, 7. Ardie Savea, 6. Brad Shields, 5. Michael Fatialofa, 4. Vaea Fifita, 3. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2. Dane Coles (Captain), 1. Reg Goodes
Replacements: 16. Ricky Riccitelli, 17. Chris Eves, 18. Loni Uhila, 19. Mark Abbott, 20. Tony Lamborn, 21. Jamison Gibson-Park, 22. Willis Halaholo, 23. Jason Woodward
Blues: 15. Melani Nanai, 14. Matt Duffie, 13. Male Sa’u, 12. Piers Francis, 11. Tevita Li, 10. Ihaia West, 9. Bryn Hall, 8. Steven Luatua, 7. Kara Pryor, 6. Jerome Kaino, 5. Josh Bekhuis, 4. Patrick Tuipoluto, 3. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 2. James Parsons (Captain), 1. Sam Prattley
Replacements: 16. Quentin MacDonald, 17. Namatahi Waa, 18. Sione Mafileo, 19. Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 20. Blake Gibson, 21. Billy Guyton, 22. Matt McGahan, 23. Matt Vaega
Game 5: Rebels v Stormers
Wait, what? You’re telling me the Stormers haven’t toured yet? Oh dear… You’ll forgive me if I don’t back them to win here because, frankly, they haven’t really been that good this season, while the Rebels have surprised. Rebels by 5 points.
Rebels : 15. Mike Harris, 14. Jonah Placid, 13. Sefanaia Naivalu, 12. Reece Hodge, 11. Tom English, 10. Jack Debreczeni, 9. Ben Meehan, 8. Colby Faingaa, 7. Sean McMahon (Captain), 6. Jordy Reid, 5. Lopeti Timani, 4. Luke Jones, 3. Toby Smith, 2. James Hanson, 1. Cruze Ah-Nau
Replacements: 16. Pat Leafa, 17. Tom Moloney, 18. Laurie Weeks, 19. Culum Retallick, 20. Adam Thomson, 21. Mick Snowden, 22. Mitch Inman, 23. Paul Asquith
Stormers: 15. Jaco Taute, 14. Kobus van Wyk, 13. Daniel du Plessis, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Leolin Zas, 10. Jean-Luc Du Plessis, 9. Nic Groom, 8. Schalk Burger (Captain), 7. Siya Kolisi, 6. Nizaam Carr, 5. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 3. Vincent Koch, 2. Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1. Oliver Kebble
Replacements: 16. Siyabonga Ntubeni, 17. Alistair Vermaak, 18. Jean-Pierre Smith, 19. JD Schickerling, 20. Rynhardt Elstadt, 21. Sikhumbuszo Notshe, 22. Louis Schreuder, 23. Scott van Breda
Game 6: Cheetahs v Force
It’s a nothing clash, but surely the Force cannot win this? Cheetahs by 12.
Cheetahs: 15. Clayton Blommetjies, 14. Sergeal Petersen, 13. Francois Venter (Captain), 12. Michael van der Spuy, 11. Raymond Rhule, 10. Fred Zeilinga, 9. Tian Meyer, 8. Paul Schoeman, 7. Teboho Mohoje, 6. Uzair Cassiem, 5. Francois Jakobus Uys, 4. Carl Wegner, 3. Maks Van Dyk, 2. Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1. Ox Nche
Replacements: 16. Joseph Dweba, 17. Luan De Bruin, 18. Johan Coetzee, 19. Reniel Hugo, 20. Henco Venter, 21. Shaun Venter, 22. George Whitehead, 23. William Small-Smith
Force: 15. Dane Haylett-Petty, 14. Luke Morahan, 13. Junior Rasolea, 12. Kyle Godwin, 11. Marcel Brache, 10. Jono Lance, 9. Ian Prior, 8. Angus Cottrell, 7. Chris Alcock, 6. Brynard Stander, 5. Adam Coleman, 4. Ross Haylett-Petty, 3. Tetera Faulkner, 2. Harry Scoble, 1. Pekahou Cowan (Captain)
Replacements: 16. Anaru Rangi, 17. Francois van Wyk, 18. Guy Millar, 19. Rory Walton, 20. Richard Hardwick, 21. Ryan Louwrens, 22. Peter Grant, 23. Semisi Masirewa
Game 7: Lions v Sharks
This is the big one and the one that will ultimately decide who wins the Africa 2 conference. The Sharks may have been in with a chance here, but in losing their two key backline play makers, I’m afraid that chance has gone. They will only lose by a few, but it will be a Lions victory on the day.
Lions: 15. Andries Coetzee, 14. Ruan Combrinck, 13. Lionel Mapoe, 12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11. Courtnall Skosan, 10. Elton Jantjies, 9. Faf de Klerk, 8. Ruan Ackermann, 7. Warwick Tecklenburg, 6. Jaco Kriel (Captain), 5. Franco Mostert, 4. Andries Ferreira, 3. Julian Redelinghuys, 2. Malcolm Marx, 1. Dylan Smith
Replacements: 16. Akker van der Merwe, 17. Corne Fourie, 18. Jacques van Rooyen, 19. Lourens Erasmus, 20. Cyle Brink, 21. Ross Cronje, 22. Howard Mnisi, 23. Sylvian Mahuza
Sharks: 15. Odwa Ndungane, 14. JP Pietersen, 13. Paul Jordaan, 12. Andre Esterhuizen, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 10. Garth April, 9. Michael Claassens, 8. Phillip Van der Walt, 7. Jean-Luc du Preez, 6. Keegan Daniel, 5. Stephan Lewies, 4. Etienne Oosthuizen, 3. Lourens Adriaanse, 2. Franco Marais, 1. Tendai Mtawarira (Captain)
Replacements: 16. Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17. Thomas du Toit, 18. Coenie Oosthuizen, 19. Ruan Botha, 20. Lubabalo Mtembu, 21. Stefan Ungerer, 22. Rhyno Smith, 23. Sibusiso Sithole
Game 8: Southern Kings v Highlanders
Hard to see the Kings making much of a go of this one. Highlanders to win by 15.
Teams TBA
Game 9: Jaguares v Bulls
This could be a fascinating contest, actually. It’s a really important game for the Bulls, but they just don’t travel well and have lost a few key players to injury as well. I reckon the Jaguares will pull off a 5-point win.
Teams TBA
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Cheating Waratahs have 2 extra on the bench 😉
Being the only Shark in a family of Bulls and Stormers, I sincerely hope you are wrong on at least one of the 3
So many dreadfully boring match-ups this weekend, really gives weight to the idea that the conference system needs to be dropped in favour of pools.
Have the top 8 fight it out in round-robin games, to ultimately have semi-finals and a final….might even be worth having bottom eight play for the shield.
Hopefully the Sharks can stay within 7 to get a losing bonus point, and the Jaguares can keep the Bulls at bay doing the Sharks a favour.
Just a reminder the sharks beat crusaders with 13 men at home. That team was sub par. Beating the mangy lions is NOT mission impossible.
Geez Rob I really hope your spot on with the Stormers and Bulls games!!! I don’t think either team will lose.
@coolfusion (Comment 5) : for sure the Sharks seem to have a tendency to play their best rugby when they’re supposedly absolutely have no chance of winning!!!
@JD (Comment 7) : I don’t know how the Sharks week of training went…but judging by Combrink’s tweets, they had a nice relaxing day of leisure yesterday.
Sharks coaching staff had 4 whole weeks to prepare for the Lions, and our boys had zero media distractions during week – nice and low key.
If I were a Lions fan, I might want to allow myself to at least entertain the thought of this game being slightly closer than the Loftus slaughtering.
I think we might sneak it this weekend , but I have a feeling we are going to stuff it up against the Cheetahs , they always know how to beat us no matter how bad their season is going
@John (Comment 9) : it’s almost like they focus their entire season with one objective in mind.
In other news SR will have its first woman ref (Amy Perrett) who will be on the touch line during the Stormers vs Rebels game. Great to see this appointment and wish her all the best. from what I’ve read she thoroughly deserved it.
@gregkaos (Comment 10) : It might be haha
@FireTheLooser (Comment 8) : yes for sure all of this can work in favour of the Sharks but they need to step up and play decent rugby if they want to beat the Lions.
Yea nea… We all know it is going to be a very difficult and tight match and the odds are stacked against us, but a true Sharks supporter is always positive.
Stormers only playing one game on tour and just to do us a favour they would lose by 8, while the “zeros” would lose by 10 and we would won… The Lions are just too positive (they some might perceived them now as arrogant) about this game.
@BluffShark (Comment 14) : Stormers are playing two games in Oz.
Blues vs Canes game! When two teams don’t bring their defensive A game but do bring their attacking game collide.
HUR 17 – 24 BLU. 35 min
The race is on: between streamers supporters and lions supporters – who will be the most overbearing by the end of this weekend?
Sure hope the Sharks knock the lions supporters down a few pegs.
Eddie Jones says that he’s interested in only two stats: how long his players take to get back on their feet on attack, and how long his players take to get back on their feet on defense….tsietas are failing on Jones’s defense stat.
Mediocre crowd in Bloem: 3600….tsietas at times playing as if there’s 10X that amount of people…exciting stuff.
Halftime:
Cheetahs 27 – 10 Farce